A CIDER farm enjoying its 125th anniversary this year is gearing up for another major celebration when the Duke of Edinburgh is due to pay a visit tomorrow.

Staff at Westons Cider in Much Marcle, near Ledbury, have been busy for the past few weeks ensuring the place is spick and span for the royal arrival.

The event is part of a day-long visit to the agricultural and rural communities in Herefordshire by the Queen and Prince Phillip.

The cider farm is expecting thousands of visitors and pupils from Ledbury, Much Marcle, Ashperton, Eastnor and Bromsberrow primary schools have been invited.

"Last time we had an open day we had thousands of people turn up and that was just to mark the opening of the commemorative garden," said Roger Jackson, sales and marketing director.

"So we are expecting a nice, busy scene with lots of flag-waving people."

Award cups are being put on show and flower arrangements are being made in preparation.

Bunting will also be placed around the farmhouse - which dates back to 1611, and a special plaque is being made from Cumberland green slate.

The plaque will be permanently mounted into the wall of the farm's commemorative garden and will be unveiled by the Duke of Edinburgh at the end of his visit to the farm.

Eleven-year-old Elliot Weston, the great-great grandson of founder Henry Weston, will present the Duke with a pack of four bottles of oak-conditioned cider at the same time.

"We are thrilled that the Duke of Edinburgh will be visiting Westons," said managing director Helen Thomas.

"There is so much to see here and this visit will mark a milestone in our history and the development of our visitors' centre."

Prince Phillip is expected to arrive at the farm at 2.20pm, where he will be met by Norman Weston, grandson of Weston's Cider founder Henry Weston and chairman of the company.

Also present will be Norman Weston's daughter Helen, managing director of the company, and his sons Tim, audit director, and Henry, farm and orcharding manager.

During his visit he will be formally presented to 16 long-serving farm workers and will tour the rare breeds farm on site before unveiling the plaque in the commemorative garden at the end of his visit.

n Herefordshire police have confirmed there will be no road closures, although West Mercia Constabulary motorbikes will provide a rolling escort to the royal vehicles.